June 1, 2019 by Mark Peters, Chicago Sun Times Columinst
In what many billed as a potential summer season litmus test, Our Savior’s Springfield met a familiar and formidable opponent in Bethel Morton. But as has been the early theme of the 2019 summer circuit, the Eagles responded with poise, precision, and powerhouse performances from their two stars: Conor McCaffrey and Jeremiah Perkins. The result? A 69-53 victory that puts the LSA on notice.
Though Bethel Morton matched O.S. Springfield on the boards (30-18 rebound advantage), it was the turnover margin (22-6) and superior guard play that proved decisive. McCaffrey poured in 36 points, while Perkins added 14, and their combined 50 points overwhelmed a Flame squad that could never fully recover from a 40-32 halftime deficit.
Conor McCaffrey: The Floor General Ascends Again
Conor McCaffrey delivered his most efficient scoring performance of the young summer, going 11-for-17 from the field, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, and 10-of-11 from the line. In addition to his scoring, he added 3 assists, 7 steals, and 6 rebounds, dictating the flow of the game from the first quarter onward.
McCaffrey came alive midway through the first half, when Bethel pulled within two, slicing through defenders with euro-steps and fadeaways — even drawing a technical foul on a defender who couldn’t contain his footwork.
“The kid’s a magician,” said longtime scout Tom Herrin, who was in attendance. “You might slow him down for a couple possessions, but he’s always two plays ahead. His footwork is special, and he just reads the floor like a pro.”
Jeremiah Perkins: A Quiet Enforcer
While McCaffrey got the glory, Jeremiah Perkins put on a clinic of his own. The 6’4” center scored 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting, grabbed 6 rebounds, dished 8 assists, and had 5 steals. What stood out most was his timing — stepping into passing lanes, switching onto guards, and delivering perfectly timed bounce passes to teammates on cuts.
“Jeremiah is our anchor,” said head coach Phillip Heppe. “When we needed to calm the waters, it wasn’t a timeout — it was just putting the ball in his hands.”
Team-Wide Efficiency, Despite Rebounding Gap
Despite getting out-rebounded 30-18 (including just 5 offensive boards), the Eagles shot a solid 55% from the field (26-of-47), including 5 triples, and hit 12-of-14 free throws. Their spacing, drive-and-kick game, and weak side cuts were simply too much for Bethel’s defense, even as they struggled to find second-chance opportunities.
Defensively, the Eagles were exceptional in rotating and helping — stripping post entries and jumping passing lanes for 20 team steals.
Quote of the Game:
“I’ve been coaching for over a decade now,” said Coach Heppe, “and I don’t know if I’ve ever had two players like Conor and Jeremiah who complement each other so perfectly. They don’t need the spotlight — they just want to win.”